As a public testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ, 820 people were baptized during the fourth Massive Baptism held 10 October 2026, in San Pedro Carchá, Guatemala.
The celebration brought approximately 8,000 people together, including those being baptized, their families, pastors, congregations, and support teams. Organizers hoped the gathering would bear public witness to faith in Christ and strengthen the unity of the churches in the Vereapaz Norte District around its evangelistic mission.
The preparation for the event began in January 2026 with the “In Search of the Lost Sheep” initiative, followed by a discipleship program that culminated in the baptisms in October. For several months, the churches worked to support people in their spiritual growth. Simultaneously, the district evangelism team organized committees responsible for mobilization, registration, and logistics for the gathering.
Ninety-three churches participated in this celebration. The performance by a 500-voice ensemble comprising 21 choral groups was a major highlight.
The mobilization of the congregations also drew attention in San Pedro Carchá, where caravans of vehicles traveled to the baptism site. The event was also promoted on social media, extending its reach beyond those who were physically present.
Among those baptized was Pedro Botzoc, who began attending the Central Church of the Nazarene in Campur in 1996 after receiving an invitation to join the congregation’s choir. Although he had postponed his baptism for years, the 2026 celebration motivated him to take this step.
“I felt a great desire for obedience and spiritual maturity,” Botzoc said.
Another story was that of Joselyn Anabel Coc Hun, who, according to her pastor, Ely Molina, accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior while going through a difficult health crisis. After receiving good news about her recovery, Joselyn celebrated her baptism as an expression of her faith and the beginning of a new life in Christ.
The event was coordinated by Verapaz Norte District Superintendent Francisco Heriberto Cho, along with the district evangelism team led by Mario Tiul and Olga Mercedes Sierra Caal.
During the gathering, the plan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Verapaz del Norte Nazarene District was also presented, an opportunity to recognize its history and envision its future work.
As part of this vision, the district announced that 2027 will be a mission year, with the purpose of motivating churches to establish new missions and thus extend the presence of the Church of the Nazarene to more communities.
The fourth Massive Baptism is a testimony of the collaborative work of the churches and the importance of accompanying people through evangelism and discipleship. It is an expression of a living church that shares the message of Jesus Christ and seeks to continue extending its mission in the communities.
